Straight Razor Difference

[ShawnF]

Okay , this may be a silly question, But , what is the difference between a folding kamisori straight razor and a traditional folding straight razor ?? Is it a different grind ? What is exactly the difference ? TYIA for any and / or all replies...,

I know this goes against what others have told you, but to honestly answer this question, it would just be whatever the difference of the razors in question is.
Kamisori actually means razor.
The straight razor style that is most commonly associated with the word kamisori came about after the edo period in the late 1800's. Before that they were flat grinds and more squared off. Similar profile, but slightly different.

So a folding kamisori would just be a folding razor. A safety razor, electric razor, or even a Gillette 12 bladed whatever they have now, is technically a kamisori.

This is something that is similar to what happened with Damascus.
The original "Damascus" steel was a crucible steel smelted in a manner similar to tamahagane in/around the city of Damascus in Syria. (Huge trade city at the time.) The dendrites showed a pattern in finished blades because of the ore they used. Because it was specific to the area, the patterned blades were called Damascus blades.

Now a days, any pattern welded steel is blanket labeled as Damascus just as an older style Japanese straight razor is what we think of when we hear kamisori.

Edit: Not saying anyone was wrong. As I said, we kind of just picture that style blade when we hear the word. That is what we associate it with. However it is the Japanese word for razor. So depending on where whatever listing is from that you see, they may not be trying to misguide you and may just be calling an apple an apple instead of a Macintosh.

 

[CBLindsay]

@ShawnF I had assumed that the word "kamisori" essentilly meant "razor". While not exactly the same, we often see the term "barber razor" or some variation of the term used to describe a folding razor that IS or resembles a traditional straight razor...and now the term is used to describe shavette style blades of almost any size and shape.

Good info for sure!

 

[ShawnF]

@ShawnF I had assumed that the word "kamisori" essentilly meant "razor". While not exactly the same, we often see the term "barber razor" or some variation of the term used to describe a folding razor that IS or resembles a traditional straight razor...and now the term is used to describe shavette style blades of almost any size and shape.

Good info for sure!

You are right, that's why I edited my post. Like I said, it's the same with Damascus. It is a common thing that everyone goes to in their head that "this is what is meant when that is said."
In answering the original question, it could be a locale thing. Not knowing exactly what picture Jimmy saw or where it was from, it may explain why it was labeled a folding kamisori.
I honestly wasn't trying to come across wrong, if I did, I apologize.
I've always been fascinated with Japanese blades and the level of sharpness they put on them.
You should check out their kezuroukai competitions if you want to see something about as close to actual razor sharp without being an actual razor as you can get.

 

[Jaro1069]

You are right, that's why I edited my post. Like I said, it's the same with Damascus. It is a common thing that everyone goes to in their head that "this is what is meant when that is said."
In answering the original question, it could be a locale thing. Not knowing exactly what picture Jimmy saw or where it was from, it may explain why it was labeled a folding kamisori.
I honestly wasn't trying to come across wrong, if I did, I apologize.
I've always been fascinated with Japanese blades and the level of sharpness they put on them.
You should check out their kezuroukai competitions if you want to see something about as close to actual razor sharp without being an actual razor as you can get.

I'm still looking for the original pic that I saw that started my original query. There was an automotive accident ( not my family ) that knocked out power off from early yesterday afternoon until a few hours ago , so I have not been able to search for it lately . I will look again later today when I get up. I'm now finally getting to go to bed , so it'll be later before I look ....